Reduce
Reducing the use of Styrofoam is the main action that we can take
to stop Styrofoam from ending up in our landfills. Even though several everyday
items are composed of Styrofoam, we must have limitations on our use. Replacing
Styrofoam is also an important part in reducing Styrofoam. Paper cups instead of
Styrofoam cups are much more efficient and they can be recycled. Packing peanuts
use up much Styrofoam, but they can be easily replaced with bubble wrap.
to stop Styrofoam from ending up in our landfills. Even though several everyday
items are composed of Styrofoam, we must have limitations on our use. Replacing
Styrofoam is also an important part in reducing Styrofoam. Paper cups instead of
Styrofoam cups are much more efficient and they can be recycled. Packing peanuts
use up much Styrofoam, but they can be easily replaced with bubble wrap.
Reuse
- Reuse polystyrene foam for art and crafts
- Reuse the Styrofoam peanuts in packing containers
- Wash and reuse cups,plates,and bowls
- Styrofoam can be used as an insulation
- Reuse Styrofoam in potting soil
Potting Soil
Styrofoam can be used as an addend to potting soil. Even though the Styrofoam will always be there, the Styrofoam would aerate the soil and prevent the soil from clumping up, so in other words, Styrofoam keeps the soil "loose". Styrofoam also maintains the moisture in the potting soil for the benifit of the plants.
Insulation
Insulation is the part of the home that blocks out the outside heat or cold and maintains the inner temperature. Approximately 50% of electricity bills are due to air conditioning and maintaining the temperature. Wasting money on electricity also lowers our fossil fuels. Styrofoam ties into insulation because styrofoam can be used as insulation and to prevent "air leaks" in the home. Insulation is an effective way to use styrofoam instead of letting it end up in our landfills and causing damage to our environment.
Recycle
Even though polystyrene is not bio-degradeable, there is a way to recycle it. An alternative to burning, which leaves unusable ashes, is transforming Styrofoam to be reused as a different substance. By shredding it, then applying heat and pressure, Styrofoam is diminished into 90 or more different substances such as alkyl benzenes or benzoperylene. These byproducts can be reused in manufacturing.
Recycling to Tech Companies
A company right here in our town will accept all white crumbly Styrofoam and recycle it.
RecycleTech Corporation is an innovation-driven company utilizing the latest technology to provide solutions for recycling and waste reduction.
Recycle Tech Corp was founded in 2004 as a specialized recycler of EPS - Expanded Polystyrene. The company has set up its first processing facility in Lakeland, Florida in 2005. In a partnership with the Solid Waste Division of Polk County, some 4,000 pounds of material is processed daily from the post-industrial "loose foam" scrap received from local organizations.
In 2008, an Innovative Waste Reduction and Recycling Grant was awarded to RecycleTech to stop the flow of EPS waste into landfills. Through the grant, RecycleTech has placed its EPS processing machines in several counties and businesses throughout the State of Florida.
Since June of 2008, RecycleTech's systems have saved over 1,607,000 cubic feet of landfill space in the State of Florida, which is equivalent to 423 53-foot trailers loaded with Styrofoam™. In addition, waste generators who participated in the project have saved $262,080 in waste disposal, transportation, and labor costs.
RecycleTech Corporation is an innovation-driven company utilizing the latest technology to provide solutions for recycling and waste reduction.
Recycle Tech Corp was founded in 2004 as a specialized recycler of EPS - Expanded Polystyrene. The company has set up its first processing facility in Lakeland, Florida in 2005. In a partnership with the Solid Waste Division of Polk County, some 4,000 pounds of material is processed daily from the post-industrial "loose foam" scrap received from local organizations.
In 2008, an Innovative Waste Reduction and Recycling Grant was awarded to RecycleTech to stop the flow of EPS waste into landfills. Through the grant, RecycleTech has placed its EPS processing machines in several counties and businesses throughout the State of Florida.
Since June of 2008, RecycleTech's systems have saved over 1,607,000 cubic feet of landfill space in the State of Florida, which is equivalent to 423 53-foot trailers loaded with Styrofoam™. In addition, waste generators who participated in the project have saved $262,080 in waste disposal, transportation, and labor costs.
Replace
There are multiple products which can replace polystyrene foam. For instance, paper is a exemplary replacement for numerous polystyrene foam products. Paper items can easily be recycled at most recycling centers. Also, paper usually has cellulose as prime ingredient, which allows it to biodegrade more quickly. Some examples of cellulose are wood fiber and cotten fiber. Bacteria consumes this cellulose and the paper decomposes. Paper made of cloth fibers of natural origins such as cotton, silk, and linen will decompose completely. Depending on the thickness of the product, paper can take as little as two weeks to decompose. The longest time period for paper decomposition is about five months while Styrofoam is non-biodegradable and the chemical makeup will not break down naturally.
Another product is Bioxo oxo-degradable polystyrene; it is a great replacement for polystyrene foam. Cascades (a company in Quebec, Canada) produces this biodegradable polystyrene. Cascades claims that Bioxo oxo-degradable polystyrene can biodegrade within 3 years. This product is not harmful to the environment or humans. Therefore it would be a great replacement for polystyrene. Another way to lower Styrofoam usage is to use paper plates and cups in place of Styrofoam ones.
Another product is Bioxo oxo-degradable polystyrene; it is a great replacement for polystyrene foam. Cascades (a company in Quebec, Canada) produces this biodegradable polystyrene. Cascades claims that Bioxo oxo-degradable polystyrene can biodegrade within 3 years. This product is not harmful to the environment or humans. Therefore it would be a great replacement for polystyrene. Another way to lower Styrofoam usage is to use paper plates and cups in place of Styrofoam ones.
Biodegradable Styrofoam Alternative
BioFoam product is a packaging material similar to expanded polystyrene foam (the type of packaging filler commonly referred to as Styrofoam), but made out of poly-lactic acid, a material derived from sugar cane processing.